NOTHING!

Posted in Uncategorized by eddacker on September 10, 2012

Strasburg’s shutdown? boring
Trout’s ROY? too obvious
BZito shutdown of the dogers? Y’all already seen that
I got nothing and nothing is clearer than hindsight.
For me and my emotions nothing is more confusing than this part of the season . I do not want to believe it is almost over. I cannot hope for the post-season, just read ‘Baseball’s Starry Night’, authored by Paul Kocak and currently in stock and available at Amazon for $11.07; things change. I cannot just-watch one game at a time. My mind races back across the season highlights and jumps forward to the season final standings. I am sad because the season is ending and happy because my team is posed to win the west. I want more: more baseball, more games, more torture. I am selfish, the players never tire, they are there for my entertainment and joy.

Everything that is happening, with the Giants, has been covered and commented upon in this blog. The schedule looks easy for us. And not for the team trailing us. The rivalry, alive and well, is almost over for this year, trade or no big trade. The PED scandal re-ignited with our best player caught out. Errors, DPs, RISP, who plays where, Closer by Committee, SPs wearing down or off their game, last in HRs, playing with a home record below the away one, big game heroes Posey, Pagan, Scutero, and all the others. A depleted minor league, no big trades (one under the radar), sellout crowds everyday and owners only playing for profit. All covered and I got nothing.

Let’s talk playoffs, with Giants as NL West champs. Which means the team would get some time off while the wildcard game decides who will play the Nationals. Then we face the Big Red Machine. Probably two of the biggest challenges between here and the 2012 WS. I know I am going to be watching St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Washington. One or two of these teams will be our biggest games between now and October 24th. I would prefer Atlanta in the NLCS. After they snatch the WC from LA and pull off a win over Washington. That is what I would prefer. And there is a scenario where WS 2012 is a Bay Bridge Series. I don’t count out the Brewers or the Bucs, either.

So put away meager seasonal games and let’s talk playoffs.
(sorry Nipper, nothing took more words than I thought it would, a bottle of fortified wine on me)

190 Responses

I just finished watching the game. Twas nice indeed!
Here are my comments from last night:
I liked what mattingly said: with wins comes chemistry. Our team has been getting TEAM wins.
No Kershaw?? How’s that short rest rotation working for you donney?
Pence picks it UP!
Pagan’s new name is sparkplug

Now 37 players on board, management’s idea of opening the wallet?

Posey joins the 20 Hr club, a lock for comeback POY?
I had Romo last year on my Flap team, should have kept him this year. He has been money 2 years in a row. Definitely a stopper, and a good guy.

I think Posey officially moved into being a prime contender for MVP last night. Hitting his 20th HR on national TV, as the team was burying the Dodgers, and as the ESPN broadcasters were talking about how strong a contender for MVP he is. His numbers on offense have been dominant since the All-Star break.
He made some defensive errors earlier in the season when he was still rusty from missing so much of last season, but he has been excellent on D at catcher since, and has been decent at firstbase on D. I don’t know that he’ll win MVP, but he should, if he keeps a decent pace on offense going. In fact, if he gets to the 25 HR mark, and 100 RBI mark, I think he gets it for sure.

I could see writers out-thinking themselves, and wanting to spread the wealth, so to speak, by giving Posey “comeback player of the year” and giving the MVP to somebody else. They could give Posey BOTH awards, but I don’t know that that’s ever happened before.

While not directly using the word *chemistry*, Ethier comments on the Dodger *problems*. Read between the lines.

“I don’t know if it’s pressing too hard or not caring enough or what,” Andre Ethier said. “You try to go out there and relax, it doesn’t work. You try to go out there and care, and nothing works. Maybe somebody needs to come on and give us all a good shake or something. I don’t know.”

One thing that’s bothered me: Why hasn’t Selig addressed the Melky Batting Title Problem? I’m not saying erase his stats but declare him ineligible to win. He’s .346 > .341 (McCutchen in 2nd). Why wait around to see if he *wins*? And he should take his all star game MVP away (if he hasn’t already, I might have missed that).

EDD– I just updated the fantasy league standings and I was disappointed to see you drop 2.5 points yesterday! I am still holding out hope that you win it all. And Bozo has an outside shot of catching The Beltran Boo Hooer’s. Come on dude, you can do it!!!!!!!

I had a bet (for lunch – place of winner’s choice) with a woman here at work. She is a huge Dodger and Packer fan. A friend and I were sitting here last week chatting about the Giants and Niners, and she rolled-up all smug rocking her Mathews t-shirt (she does have a VERY impressive rack, BTW).

My friend and I chose not to talk any shit…we just confidently predicted a Giant series win, and also a Niner win. I have yet to see her this morning…will not go search her out…will let her come over with her tail between her legs. The best part of the upcoming “Winnah Lunch”…sitting across from her and checking out that rack (she is a nice looking lady)…

great day for basking, absolutely. Z and the pen shut down LA, enough timely hits for 4 and the lead is extended, and home dominance back in its rightful position. Meanwhile, Harbaugh shows what full off season means for rest of the league—improved offense and renewed strength of D and spec teams, deadly combo.

BUT…Z and Lincecum each gave up 4 hits in 6 innings in their weekend starts, and one run combined on the HR to Kennedy. I did not see last night’s game, but in TL start they did not hit him hard at all, and he shut down the big guns completely. I don’t think bochy dumps them (right or wrong) from post season roster, and either could get a start if they pitch well down the stretch. Imo it’s not whether they deserve to be on or off, I just don’t think bochy snubs them.

Tonite it’s Vogs turn, and I’m interested to see what he shows he has going in his last few starts. I admire his competitiveness, but not his nibbler style. Reminds me of Rueter, another guy I didn’t like—nibbles around corners, and if he doesn’t have friendly ump or accomodating LU against him, gets hammered on “location mistakes”–doubles triples HRs.

Last year Vogs second half numbers were quite different from his first half AS worthy numbers. bill james projected his ERA to be around 4.00 for the season, and he hasn’t been as bad as that, til lately. I realize Coors isn’t a fair place to judge anyone, so if he gives up a few rockets tonite it has to be taken with grain of salt. But he’ll probably have 3 more starts— see what happens.

I know this sounds like a dumb question, but with all the rules in football, is it legal for a defensive player to block a FG attempt from the end zone or at the goal line? Lot of teams play a guy back there for a runback on a long FG–could he try and swat one away?

Great game yesterday. I was at the game with my father in law. After Saturday’s game I was a little worried going in. My faith in Zito was shaken. I forgot about his new status as stopper. Our seats were between thridbase and the left filed wall in the lower bowl. We had a good vantage point for Posey’s shot. That ball did not look like it was going out and then it just caried and caried and caried some more.

I get up and cheer and clap but am not the most vocal fan at they yard. One thing that stood out to me was the total dickishness of dodger fans at the game yesterday. No friendly ribbing or back and forth. Lots of f-bombs and paper gangstas. At one point a dodger fan was ejected for interfering with a play down the LF line. The usher turns him around to escort him out and dude has both middle fingers in the air all the way up the aisle. Classy. I’m not saying Giants fans are better. Its just so lame how some fans act these days.

Whatever though. Giants are rising, dodgers are sinking and now 5 & 1/2 back. Suck on that dodger fan.

Melky can still win the batting title, Bozo. He has 501 plate appearances-one short of what’s needed to qualify. BUT- the rules allow for an out to be added for that appearance and he would win if his BA is still ahead of the second place hitter..note: it’s not at bats, but plate appearances that make the determination. as of today, he would win.

Thanks twin, I did think it was ABs. So a guy can play a half a year and still win the batting title, that’s weird in itself isn’t it? Well an awkward moment for Mr Selig if no one overtakes Melky ‘the shot heard around the butt’ Cabrera..

This goes to Ted’s fine POTD. Got a kick out of the graphic on most hits ever in the history of the game for a guy named Buster. I was down in Monterey and having a little Mexican food Sun, they had the game on, but from a spanish language affiliate (I guess). So that graphic was titled something like “mas hits por un nombre Buster or something. My spanish and memory aren’t good. Anyway, think he was 3rd all time.

EdwithmanyDslikeafullbracup, I do appreciate the nod to BASEBALL’S STARRY NIGHT, and understand the melancholia that season’s end brings, BUT BUT, I am more of a doomer, a fidgety skeptic who, as in 2010, can barely believe it’s real even when it is. What I’m getting at is j-i-n-x. Nothing is in the bag. Nothing is assured. 2011 proved that. Well, really, every year proves that for somebody. Father, forgive me for I have sinnned by a sin of omission, the omission of unbridled and rampant optimism.

Especially with all the 2010 torture…this is a cakewalk. F John Kruk for predicting that the Douchebacks would win the division during the all-star break even though we were in first.

Zito deserves to be on the playoff roster for the first series, but I can’t see him getting a start. Presumably we will be on the road for the first two games and go Cain-Bum so Timmy can pitch in the friendlier confines at home for a Game 3.

If it goes Game 4, up 2-1, I would expect they go with Voggy and then Cain on the road of a Game 5 if needed.

I only could see Zito getting a start in a 7-game NLCS if we were up 3-0 and at home for game 4..

Yeah…my bad, Michael. I realize now that GH had Bum listed (when I did my reply, I did not realize he was in the mix). And yes…Tim is number 3 the way the rotation is currently set. Sorry for any confusion.

No way I feel anything is in the bag. I’ll consider it in the bag when they hoist the NL West pennant up at 24 Willie Mays Plaza. That said, I do like where our boys in Orange and Black sit. Up 5.5 with 22 to play (21 for the Bums). Giants are on their longest remaining road trip (Denver). Bums must still travel to Cincy and DC. They have 11 road games and 7 home games (four of those seven against the Cards).

So, not saying we have anything locked-up, but again, I sure like the way things look at this point.

I posted before that catchers, historically, do not get the MVP vote unless their team does well in the playoffs. I think Posey is a lock for comeback player of the year. I also think Zito knows about the 18% and is working his magic to make sure they win the poll. Yesterday’s game and winning the series is nice, but the Giants win the West. StL and LA will be fighting for the WC. brewers are playing well and if StL and LA damage each other the Bucs could sneak in, but they are playing poorly just now. Washington wins the east and Cincy the central. So SF – Ohio in the playoffs. MLB is calling the WC game a play-in game rather than sudden victory.

It’s hardly a given that the Nats will have the best record, especially with Strasburg shut down. So we could face them, not the Reds..
“I only could see Zito getting a start in a 7-game NLCS if we were up 3-0 and at home for game 4..” or if the other guys got the bubonic plague..just kidding, just kidding.. sorta. Hey, I thought he’d pitch well yesterday. Actually, I have no idea what possessed me to think that…
Big start for Vogelsong. Sorry, but a 10 plus ERA for 5 starts is just, well, kinda- not good. And he will not be pitching anywhere but his backyard in October if he doesn’t turn it around. And really, even with Tim pitching better, Cain and MadBum are the only guys to really count on..we need Ryan back on track…
Took a peek at the Niner Insider yesterday- Those Smith supporters are oozing from the cracks. Lotta screen names *I’ve* never seen before. I think they’re the same numb nuts who said he was Ryan Leaf. Get outta town…

From reading the game stories and what little I saw of the game, it appeared LA wanted to get the hell out of town before it even started. The Kershaw scratch no doubt dragged them down, and the Giants jumping on Blanton at the start helped too. That Pagan hustle triple said it all as Ethier seemed to casually play the ball off the wall. And then there’s Zito, whose focus on the task at hand ensured the Bums weren’t getting back into it. A splendid game all around.

I’m warming up to Pence, quirky stance/swing/throw and all. The guy is just a flat-out run producer. It doesn’t look pretty, but he finds a way to bring ’em home. That 2-run double in the 1st yesterday was huge, not only giving Zito a little cushion to work with but also picking up Buster after he caught looking.

No it is not legal to stand under the goalpost and try to goal tend it.They changed that rule.It was legal back in the 70’s when the KC Chiefs had a guy named Ernie Stroud 6’9 who would jump up and try and knock it away on Old Man George Blanda 50+ attemps.
You can run one back,like when Devin Hester of the Bears did against the Niners on the last play of the half,a few years back 107 freakin yards after a Joe Nedney attempt,as all the Niners were standing around dumbfounded,just wanting to go to the locker room.

Ok. Here’s a question nobody ever answers. I may have asked this before here, but whatever. Is there a rule that requires the holder to spot the ball 7 yards back of the line of scrimmage on FG and PAT kicks? If not, seems to me if you take it back even 1/2 a yard or a yard to 8 yards or so, the ball gets up over the scrimmage line at a higher elevation and basically takes away the block possibility, especially on short to medium range kicks where the extra 1/2 yard doesn’t matter either from a distance or angle perspective. Thoughts?…

there’s already a something in place to stop a long kick–it’s called the D-line. I have no idea how the GB players missed knocking that one down–it was low, as all of them have to be to make it that far. They usually get blocked but for whatever reason, this one didn’t…..

From the NFL rule book: “Goal-tending by a defensive player leaping up to deflect a kick as it passes above the crossbar of a goalpost is prohibited. The Referee could award three points for a palpably unfair act (12-3-3).”

My two cents is leave him as is for a spot 7th and 8th inning guy, mostly, situation and batter dependent. He’s building confidence again and doing well, but I still don’t think he throws strikes consistently enough to close every game…

I still remember Dempsey’s kick- it was the game winner, last play of the game. The reaction from the Detroit players was classic. Some of them were standing around laughing beforel lining up. Then as it sailed over them, their heads turn skyward in the classic ” I can’t believe this ” look. Most will recall that Dempsey was born without toes on his right foot and no fingers on his right hand. There was some controversy over his special shoe abut it was found to offer no advantage over the regular one.
Tom is 65 and lives in Louisiana with his wife Carlene.

Yeah I remember that Dempsey kick like it was yesterday.The Lions were all milling around figuring no way he could make that kick.Dempsey is the only one of all the guys eho have tied is record to kick straight forward,a dying breed now,guess he had to anyway with that club foot.

Yeah, I’ve mentioned that many times before, even last season. I mean, the staff’s seeming weakness in giving up hits to the oppo pitchers. I have no clue where the Giants are on the MLB stat list for that, assuming there is one. But I’m guessing, too, that they’re high on the list, i.e., giving away hits to the shittiest hitters on the opposing team’s LU. I don’t know if it’s lack of concentration, bad pitch calls, or what…

Anybody paying attention to Fangraphs or whatever re: Vogy’s pitch speeds the last few games? Is he down in velocity? He’s just hit a friggin wall the last handful of games. Can’t remember when he put a coupla 1-2-3 innings together…

Thanks, Mr. Gerald Dempsey Posey III. Thanks, from my heart. I did not witness it, but from Internet reports, you got us back into this game. But, alas, Mr. Third, my newly acquired anti-obstructive-sleep-apnea bumper belt is a-calling me, enticing me. Au revoir. I hope I awake, even in the night, to Poseylicious news. (Where’s Loo?)

I am officially on the “Vogelsong is worrying me” train. This is the sixth straight game he hasn’t gone into the sixth and he gives up a homer to the damn pitcher. Hey Ryan, instead of being pissed off because you got snubbed from the All Star Game and you have to validate that last year was no fluke, how about just bear down and start throwing fucking strikes?
Why in the hell is Bochy starting Pablo? You want to talk about a rally killer? Sit his ass tomorrow and start Arias.

The thing is- maybe it was kind of a fluke for Vogie. He was a longtime journeyman who caught lightning in a bottle for a year and a half. He helped the Giants get into firstplace this season, and maybe he’ll recapture the magic before the season is over. They don’t necessarily have to have an awesome Vogie to do well in the playoffs.

I’m no Doomer, as I would think most here would know, usually very optimistic, even if realistically so at times. But I must confess to not feeling at ease about this run to the playoffs. I do believe firmly that the Giants will win the division, but… strangely, uncomfortably not at ease about it. 2010 was a joy. This time, I’m not (yet) feeling the joy. I cringe when I hear people proclaim that this race is over, Giants all the way, etc….. I also cringe when I hear people say the Dogs have an impossible schedule and the Giants’ schedule is so much easier. I proclaimed the first game of the LA series to be must-win, something I rarely do. I want this team to keep the pedal to the metal, keep their foot on LA’s throat, clinch well before that final weekend. I’m at odds with my own inner peace about the whole thing. Very strange. Ok, I feel better now, thanks for listening. :-p

Paul, 2010 was a joy because no one saw it coming. Now, the Giants can use 2010 as a baseline to see how the pitching will do in the postseason this year. The season is not over, but I like our chances.

I’m not digging him there either but he’s earned the 3 spot and Posey’s become the cleanup dude this year. To be honest, I thought, when the season opened, Sandoval would be the man for power. But it’s Posey or Pence and Sandoval’s history shows he’s capable so he deserves the benefit of the doubt. My opinion, of course, might be different if the Giants weren’t winning the West. But they are right now with no evidence anyone’s going to de-crown them right now.

Here’s the thing, the Magic Number (and thanks Flav for putting that bad boy up with a great fucking Muppet) even if the Giants go 11-11 for the rest of the season, the Artless Dodgers have to go 16-5. In the words of Bradley Cooper in THE HANGOVER:

I did scroll through the posts before i gave you the benefit of my observations but it hasn’t changed my opinion. pablo should sit tomorrow. and maybe the next day. and maybe the day after that until he gets a fucking clue that he needs to be in better shape. maybe he’s got a lingering injury. but maybe that has to do with being, out of shape. vogey needs to get a day. i don’t know who you start, off the top of my head, but you have to sit him for a day. you probably take an ugly loss, with belt getting to achieve his ambition of pitching, but he needs to sit and reflect. this team should not be comfortable. pagan has been a beast of late. playing with passion and fire.

It looks like the A’s will reach 80 wins before the Giants do. Embarrassing when you consider the Giants are in first place.
The difference in tonight’s game? My pick is the homerun by the Rox pitcher.

Me too. I was too young to see it when it first came out but the Balboa Theatre (still open, thank the Gods) in the Richmond District of San Francisco used to show old horror films in the ’70’s during the Summer and Halloween seasons. Saw this and FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED (with Peter Cushing) on a double feature.
Good times

Demp, your 8:16, I was thinking that and ready to put it in here. I’m getting more than a little tired of Pablo swinging at shit again, and hitting into DPs. Sit his ass for a game, and play Arias. The Defense level goes up, at minimum. I don’t know how the season ends, but one thing that has to happen is Pablo gets his shit together, physical wise. This guy has a ton of talent, and he’s blowing a lot of it by eating himself towards oblivion. One more off season to get into shape, and stay in shape next season. He’s got no more hamate bones on either wrist, so that won’t be an issue. If he blows up again into the Michelin man, I’d have no problem trading his ass…

I am in total agreement with you snarkk on Kung Fu Michelin. I saw Arias in Spring Training and I like his glove work can play multiple positions and has the occasional pop in his bat. Trade Pablo? Sure, for a pitcher who could be a #4 or #5 starter.
Yes, sit his fat ass tomorrow, but Bochy apparantly won’t. Damn.

The more I think of what Pablo is doing, and the more red wine I drink, the more ticked I get. This guy has a $17+ million deal or thereabouts, when the Giants did NOT have to give him that deal, and what does he do? Eats himself into a damn dirigible. Again. He didn’t learn from 2010, apparently. He’s got no excuses. He needs to look in the mirror, and figure out where he wants to go as a player. Become a perennial all star, or a fat slob that wastes his talent. His choice…

As a retired member of the military two years removed, I would be remiss if I did not mention to remember our first responders and our military around the world as we reflect on 9/11. Say a prayer tonight and give thanks to those who protect our freedom and for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Well, I do not understand other sports starting (football) while it is baseball season. Everyone was surprisingly elated over the twin SF wins on Sunday. The loss on Monday was not unexpected, travel, let down, Voggey. The battle back was there and as noted Pablo continues to underwhelm, saving his brilliance for the playoffs.

As giddy as SF fans were on Sunday, Monday was the day in the UK. A grand parade of UK Olympics and Paralympics athletes combined with a crowd that “did not want the party to end”. reminiscent of SF 2010 on a country wide scale in London was over-attended and over-whelming all around. I will point out that sport in this age is a powerful force for community spirit.

And the obvious US Open win by Briton Andy Murray is the equivalent of ‘the shot heard around the world’ with commentators losing their voices with excitement and emotion. After Federer reduced Murray to tears at Wimbledon, Murray has produced gold (against Federer) at the Olympics and now this.
I am currently on the last few pages of the Andre Agassi autobiography and I am amazed with what Murray must be going through.

That’s got to be awesome to be over there in the midst of all that. Epic era in tennis right now with Murray forcing his way in with arguably 3 of the all time greats. I just heard about Murray’s win on the ride home from the Padre game and I’m pumped for the dude. I was always a big Lendl fan, so I’m happy for him as well.

Murray made a deft move adding Lendl, I was a fan as well.
One of the reasons was because Lendl went a ways before his first Grand Slam title. According to the tennis pundits here, Murray has been a different player in good ways.

Last night there was a special on telly telling the story of some of the heroes on that day. Some of the surviors were the main feature and the security guard who was going up the stairs and more. It is not forgotten.

I’m having difficulty with this Sandoval hatred here. I realize Sandoval had opportunities that he couldn’t cap on tonight. And a few games here and there as well. But here’s the thing. When you have a dude with a 300+ career batting average who has a bit of pop, even if it hasn’t been evident lately, you keep that mofo in the lineup, as long as he’s not a liability in defense, which he isn’t. And he’s still recovering from injuries, not due to his weight..did ya’ll see that catch he made at first that injured his hamstring? That would have fucking injured fucking Fred Astaire!!!
Pablo Sandoval, an All-Star I might add, has earned his place on the starting roster. Yeah, replace him with Arias, a lifetime .275 hitter with, I might add *ZERO* pop.
Wake up and think before you poop outta your mouth.
Which, by the way…chicks don’t dig

Ted, nobody’s hating on Pablo. People are getting real on Pablo. He’s been getting kid glove treatment for a couple of years now while being generally in disgraceful physical shape for a pro athlete making millions. No more. A couple of days of Arias in there for him might focus him a bit. Bochy has sat Pablo to get that done before. 2010 comes to mind. Then, an offseason of focus on himself and his team and his physical conditioning, not on his phuckin plate. Since he apparently has a food problem, he needs to get it fixed. This is a MLB baseball team, not a Jenny Craig franchise. The very least expected of a professional baseball player is to be in shape…

Point taken, snarkk, but first two words–Tony Gwynne–And again, the mofo injured himself last time making a move the Nicholas Brothers woudn’t have made and he’s still hitting over .280 and, again, is not a liability on defense.
I just think this “weight” issue is being overblown.
Weight issue==overblown.
There’s a joke in there somewhere